Saturday, October 15, 2011

2011 Meet the Misses v.51 - Miss World Germany 2011

Germany consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 square kilometers and has a largely temperate seasonal climate. With 81.8 million inhabitants, it is the most populous member state and the largest economy in the European Union. It is one of the major political powers of the European continent and a technological leader in many fields. Germania, inhabited by several Germanic peoples, was documented before AD 100. During the Migration Age, the Germanic tribes expanded southward, and established successor kingdoms throughout much of Europe. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire. During the 16th century, northern German regions became the center of the Protestant Reformation while southern and western parts remained dominated by Roman Catholic denominations. The two factions clashed in the Thirty Years' War. After the occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, most of the German states unified and formed the German Empire. After the German Revolution and the military surrender in World War I, the Empire was replaced by the Weimar Republic in 1918, and partitioned in the Versailles Treaty. Amidst the Great Depression, the Third Reich was proclaimed in 1933. The latter period was marked by Fascism and the World War II. After 1945, Germany was divided by allied occupation, and evolved into two states, East Germany and West Germany. In 1990 Germany was reunified. Germany has the world's fourth largest economy. The country has developed a very high standard of living. Germany has been the home of many influential scientists and inventors, and is known for its cultural and political history. From its roots, culture in Germany has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and secular. Historically Germany has been called Das Land der Dichter und Denker (the land of poets and thinkers). Germany has established a high level of equality in gender, sexual orientation and disability in a social and legal level. Germany debuted in Miss World 1962 and won the crown in 1956 with Petra Susanna Schürmann. Last year, Germany placed in the semifinals after 30 years and this year the nation will be represented by Sabrina-Nathalie Reitz, Miss World Germany 2011.

The Times of Beautyproudly presents Sabrina-Nathalie Reitz, Miss World Germany 2011, in an exclusive interview for our interview series, Meet the Misses.

1. Give us an introduction of yourself.

My name is Sabrina-Nathalie Reitz. I am 21 years old and currently go to school again. Why? Because I like to study dentistry. In my leisure time I dance ballet and play football in a club. I love to read and to travel, keen to learn more about new or other cultures.

2. Tell us a bit more about your country and hometown.

Germany is a federal republic in Western and Central Europe consisting of 16 culturally different states. It has a free democratic and social constitutional structure and Berlin as its capital city. I like Germany's internationalism and Berlin is simply hip. We have nine neighbors: Denmark in the North, Poland and Czech Republic in the East, Austria and Switzerland in the South - where the Alps mountains start - and France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands in the West. Six large rivers opens into the sea: Rhine, Elbe, Weser as well as Ems into the North Sea, the Oder into the Baltic Sea and the Danube into the Black Sea. The Rhine river with 865 km only in Germany is of great economic value and is one of the busiest waterways in Europe. All is worth a visit!

Langenselbold is a town in the Main-Kinzig district close to Frankfurt in Hesse. Frankfurt you may know as the biggest German airport and main hub of Lufthansa or because of its important financial center. The European Central Bank has its headquarter here.

The main attraction of my town Langenselbold is the Protestant church, a cross built church, constructed between 1727 and 1735. It forms together with the baroque castle Langenselbolder and the associated castle park the palace ensemble. Today the castle houses the city administration, a ballet school, a youth center, a convention center and the museum.

3. What does it mean to you to represent your country at the 61st Miss World finals?

For me it means a lot. I'm so happy to represent Germany at the biggest beauty pageant in the world. Germany is an amazing country and I am convinced that I can represent it well. I am already curious to get introduced to so many representatives of other, exciting countries. I like to learn from them and bring them also the German culture a bit closer.

4. If you have to choose a song to describe yourself, which would you choose and why?

I would choose Beethoven's Für Elise. I love this song because it gets under the skin. I assume the song corresponds with my classic style and the ability to achieve the impossible.

5. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

In 10 years, I see myself as a dentist with a focus on pediatric dentistry in a group practice and would like to continue to work for socially disadvantaged families and children to integrate them into a normal environment. I want to use my position as a dentist in order to give people who do not have much money a chance to live well.

6. Which well known person from your country you most admire and why?

I would have loved to know Ludwig van Beethoven. I like his music a lot. His feeling to compose and play is a true one. I have great respect before him and his great work.

7. If you had to choose any other country to live in, which one would you choose and why?

Last year, I lived in Paris and found it beautiful to study the mentality and culture in France. They always say it is best to stay in your known home country with its advantages. But to assess what is going on in other countries and to appreciate you own one, it is necessary to have lived abroad as well. My dream is to make a complete trip around the world to learn different attitudes and all manners. I can imagine to help in less developed areas as a social project assistant and contribute to a better change.

8. What do you think is the worst kind of human injustice or prejudice happening now?

The biggest problem is global poverty, inequality and the today's spread or gap between social levels. If you want to help to make a better world, it is important to go abroad, help locally or in case of funds to hand over donations personally.

9. Would you prefer being beautiful and rich or poor and smart?

I would rather be poor and smart because beauty and money alone is no recipe for happiness. I think we still need the family behind us - in good and bad times. I assume that we much more appreciate real values when we do not have much money, because if you have money, you take it for granted that you can buy everything.

10. What preparations have you done so far or will you do for the Miss World final?

Frankly spoken, my previous preparations were just mental ones. I needed time to grasp that it is me who will represent Germany at Miss World. The nomination in front of almost 3,000 spectators was really a great moment. I think the best preparation is simply to be how I am, not to dissemble, to reach out for other people and do not stiffen with selfishness regarding the contest. You should see the Miss World pageant as a huge challenge and do your best. However, I think you should always be aware that this is only a moment and that you have to prepare again and again for new challenges in your entire lifetime.

11. Do you believe a beauty queen should be politically correct when answering a controversial subject question or should she express her personal views on the issue?

In my mind's eye, she shall be diplomatic, have a conservative approach and should be able to express her views in a appropriate way.

12. What do you most look forward to about the Miss World festival?

I am already glad to see and meet all these unique national representatives in a few days from now.

13. Which former winner do you most admire and why?

I noticed that the 18 years old Alexandria Mills who won last year is great. She seems to be self-supporting and authentic. She wants to become a teacher and loves pasta - just like a normal girl. I think the major criterion should always be to be yourself.

14. What does Beauty with a Purpose mean to you?

You always shall remember that visual beauty passes but real beauty lies inside you. So, I fully comply with the idea behind Miss World's Beauty with a Purpose: You're beautiful, I can see your miracle, deep within you. For me you are just beautiful. To look at you, to see into you, to be understood, to understand you and each other - that is gorgeous. One should always be oneself, find its own beauty in oneself and make use of it for a higher, not self-seeking purpose.

15. Share a message to your supporters and readers of The Times of Beauty.

Dear readers and fans, do not forget that real beauty is far below your skin! Lots of love, your Sabrina-Nathalie from Germany

and finally...

Personal Motto: Don't dream your life, live your dream!

Favorite Food: Spinach

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Song: "Beautiful" (Christina Aquilera)

Favorite Movie: O.C., California

Favorite Book: Desert Flower

Favorite Singer/Band: Alisha Keys

Favorite Actor/Actress: Jennifer Aniston

SPECIAL THANKS

Carsten Mohr, National Director of Miss World in Germany
Sabrina-Nathalie Reitz, Miss World Germany 2011

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